by Amy Morrill
Glass slippers, castles, giants—Theatre Ink’s latest production Into the Woods has it all and puts a twist on many classic fairytales, including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood. The show, directed by seniors Jen Gately and Sonia Joffe, will run Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre.
The musical follows a cursed baker and his wife as they travel through the woods on a quest to lift the curse of their inability to conceive a child. Along the way, the couple meets Cinderella as she falls in love with her prince and Jack as he discovers a beanstalk. However, the stories do not ultimately end in the traditional way.
The play begins with a classic plot that ends in happily ever after, but the second act deals with darker themes and reality. The plot extends the fairytales “by showing us what happens after the happy ending, when everyone is forced to deal with the consequences,” explained junior Gabe Jasper, who plays the baker. “The characters become so three dimensional and dynamic in a way that completely contrasts the first half of the story.”
The audience is able to experience the “thoughts and emotions” behind pivotal moments from classic stories, such as the planting of the beanstalk or leaving the glass slipper on the steps of the palace, according to Gately.
Unlike past musicals, which have taken place in the auditorium, “Into the Woods” will be the first to be performed in the Little Theatre. According to junior Isinsu Bastepe, who plays the Baker’s wife, this switch adds “intimacy” to the production. “The audience is very close to the actors, almost becoming a part of ‘the woods,’” she explained.
Joffe explained that directing the musical opened her eyes to the “immense” and “unseen” amount of work done by the stage and costumes crew. “They all pour their heart and soul into their designs and it’s so beautiful and impressive to watch.”
She added, “the audience can look forward to incredible acting and singing, and a really captivating story.”
Tickets are $10 on Theatre Ink’s website and are sold at all lunches.
